Signs That Your Exterior Paint Is Due For An Update

It’s important for homeowners to keep up with routine maintenance of their homes. Paint plays a critical role in protecting the home from rain, wind and snow. When paint on the exterior of a home starts to fail, it should be a priority to prep the area and apply new paint before water can find its way underneath the painted surfaces and cause long term damage.

Its recommended homeowners in Saskatoon inspect the exterior of their home closely at least twice a year. Checking at the end of winter, and the end of summer are both good points to look around for any potential damages from either winter weather or summer heat and rain. When doing your check for damage, here are a few things to look for:

Our crews are busiest in the spring and summer time, but we can often still paint in the fall season. Its a good time to consider a painting project as timelines may be shorter, and promotions may be available in the off season that otherwise may not be. Small areas of damaged paint may be a sign of more to come, however sometimes all that is required is a small patch up that can be done yourself. If you see any of the items below however, it may be time to contact a professional painter:

Peeling Paint

Peeling paint will show up when the film has failed and water is getting underneath the paint. In addition to peeling, you may find flaking, cracking, chipping or other problems. These issues will never get better or resolve on their own. The longer you let them linger, the more likely you will need expensive repairs beyond painting. Take a good look at the area and see if you can find where the water is coming from and have that addressed before consulting a painting professional to correct the colour. Some painters offer repair services of this type in conjunction with painting. Either way, you’ll need a repair and repainting.

Dirty Patches

Dirt tends to cake up on walls from precipitation in the winter. Most of the time this is just dirt on the walls that washes away easily. Good options to clean include scrubbing with a brush and tri-sodium phosphate or power washing with detergent. When the dingy area isn’t easily cleaned up, you should investigate further. Dirt and grime that won’t easily wash away can indicate growth of mold or mildew. To correct this, find the reason for the growth and treat that first. Usually, this happens when spouts and eves aren’t whisking water away from the walls. After the repairs are made, invest in painting, even if it’s one spot or wall. This will keep your home protected and pristine for a few more seasons.

Fading Colours

Fading colours are the most difficult problem to recognize. Because the pigments leach from the paint over time, this paint failure is hard to notice. A slow fade is normal over years but can be just as problematic as the aforementioned issues. Dealing with fading is particularly important if you could or do have a move planned in the coming months. Most realtors will recommend a full exterior house painting before listing the property on the market. Whether you’re staying or going, restoring your house to its colourful looks will give you curb appeal in spades. When it comes to offers, you’ll surely recoup your money. If you’re painting for your own enjoyment, a full exterior paint job will last up to 10 years, giving you that much more protection.

If you’re concerned about signs your paint is ready for an update, our professionals are here to help. Schedule a no-obligation inspection of your house to discuss the potential issues and project. Don’t hesitate, set up an appointment with our estimators today.